Filter element analysis system and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A filter element analysis system for analyzing a filter element within a vehicle, the system including various filter sensors so as to provide information regarding various filter element parameters, a locator which configured provide vehicle position information such that conditions regarding the vehicle environment can be tracked and correlated to the location, as well as a means for transmitting information to a remote server for analysis and tracking of the filter element information with regard to environmental conditions such that a filter element status, remaining filter life, or particle load and replacement timeline can be calculated and updated so as to provide more accurate predictive models of the filter element conditions. As well as provide alerts regarding the need and scheduling of replacement or cleaning of a particular filter element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of monitoringsystems, and more particularly to a filtration monitoring system inlarge equipment and vehicles.

BACKGROUND

When using large motorized machinery, and particularly in the field ofvehicles in extreme conditions it is of particular advantage to ensurethat air being utilized in their respective engines be clean so as toavoid damaging the machine. It is well understood that these machinesoperate in an optimal fashion when the filter elements are regularlyreplaced or cleaned, and changing or cleaning the filter elementprematurely, while ensuring smooth operation can result in unnecessarydowntime, excess cost due to replacement cost, or damage to the filterelement during unnecessary cleaning operations. Further, in particularenvironments, it can often require almost-constant supervision in orderto determine precisely when a particular filter element needsreplacement or cleaning. Changing a filter element too often result inextra downtime, damage to filter elements, and overall costs. Likewise,not changing at appropriate intervals can lead to damage.

While conventional filter elements typically have guidelines for when afilter element should be replaced, such as a particular timeline, theseguidelines may or may not reflect actual filter element state orparticle load depending on a wide variety of potential operatingconditions. One of the intended benefits of the present applicationseeks to optimize filter element cleaning and replacement, whilereducing unnecessary downtime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Contemplated herein is a filter element analysis system configured toaide in the proper timing and scheduling of filter element cleaning andmaintenance, particularly within equipment systems operating in widelyranging conditions, for example farming or harvesting equipment whereinthe conditions are largely dependent on locational and environmentalconditions. It will be appreciated that particulate counts in the aircan vary greatly depending on crop type, soil type, various weatherconditions, or any number of additional factors, as will be appreciatedby those having skill in the art. It will also be appreciated that thesetypes of systems often include large and robust air filtration systemswith one or more filter elements which can be expensive to both cleanand/or replace. Additionally, cleaning operations can often lead tounintentional damage and thus require premature replacement of theselarge filter elements which is a source of undue cost. Additionally,changing the filter elements too often can result in large amounts ofwasted man hours and crop waste due to unnecessary equipment downtime.

The filter element analysis system of the present invention will bediscussed primarily with regard to air filter elements for purposes ofillustration; however, it will be appreciated that other filterelements, such as oil or other fluid filter elements, can similarlybenefit from various aspects of the present invention. As such, aspectsof the present invention can be similarly applied to other filtrationsystems in various environments, including HVAC and other filtrationsystems.

Accordingly, the filter element analysis system as contemplated hereincan thus include a filter element, the filter element being providedwithin a filter housing being provided in a system such as a vehicle orother equipment. The filter housing can include an inlet and an outlet,the inlet receiving a contaminated stream medium, i.e. dirty air, andthe outlet providing a filtered stream medium, i.e. clean air. One ormore filter sensors can then be provided within or about the filterhousing, each sensor being configured to generate a signal correlatingto various filter element parameters. The system can then furtherinclude a location determination mechanism, such as a GPS, positioningbased on multiple Cellular Tower information or user input interface forinputting location information. The location determination mechanism canthen be configured so as to provide location information regarding thevehicle.

The system can also include one or more control units, at least oneprimary control unit having a processing, multiple analog and digitalsensors and a wireless communication mechanism such as wirelesscommunication radio/modem. In such an embodiment, the processing unitcan be configured to receive the filter element parameters from the oneor more filter sensors and transmit the filter element parameters usingthe wireless communication mechanism to a remote server. The remoteserver can include a remote processing unit, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. The remote server can then receive one or moreenvironmental parameters correlating to an environment surrounding thevehicle. The remote server can also receive the filter elementparameters from the control unit over the wireless network and, usingboth the filter element parameters and environmental parameters,determine a state or particle load of the filter element. Once the stateor particle load of the filter element is determined, it can betransmitted back to the one or more control units.

In some embodiments a secondary control unit, such as an interfacelocated within the cockpit or about filter housing can be provided whichcan include a display configured to display information regarding thestate or particle load of the filter element. In some such embodiments,the primary control unit can be operatively connected to the secondarycontrol unit utilizing wireless communication, and the secondary controlunit is configured to transmit the filter element parameters to theremote server.

In some alternative embodiments, the primary control unit can beoperatively connected to the remote server utilizing wirelesscommunication, and the secondary control unit can be operativelyconnected to the remote server utilizing wireless communication, whereinthe secondary control unit is configured to receive and display theinformation regarding the state or particle load of the filter element.In some embodiments, the secondary control unit can be provided as amobile smart device provided with a mobile application loaded thereon,wherein the mobile smart device can receive user input and communicatewirelessly with the primary control unit either directly, through awireless communication network, or over an internet connection. Theapplication on the smart device can receive notifications from theserver based on the plurality of sensor collected and non-collected datato determine various recommendations or warnings, such as criticalfilter status, dust load levels, remaining filter lifetime, andpredictive maintenance times.

In some alternative embodiments, the remote server can utilize theglobal position of the filter element to access desired environmentalparameters from an online database. Such as weather informationregarding locations about the location of the equipment, such as recentrainfall, humidity, jet stream parameters and location, wind speed, windgusts, current weather conditions, etc. In some similar embodiments,various environmental conditions can be obtained by providing one ormore environmental sensors about the vehicle or equipment. The one ormore environmental sensors can then be configured to provide a signalcorrelating to at least one environmental parameter about theenvironment in the direct vicinity of the equipment to the remote serverthrough the one or more control units, etc.

It will also be appreciated that the various sensors, eitherenvironmental, or filter sensors can be configured to transmit theirrespective signals to the one or more control units utilizing wirelesscommunication.

In yet additional embodiments the one or more control units can includea user input interface, wherein the user input interface can beconfigured to receive one or more environmental parameters or filterelement parameters from a user or operator. Some exemplary parameterswhich can have an effect on filter element characteristics can include avehicle activity, crop type, soil type, soil water content, soilPH-levels, visual filter element state or particle load, sound, vehicleresponsiveness, or any number of other parameters as will be appreciatedby those having skill in the art.

In yet additional embodiments the primary control unit can also includea local non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to storehistorical data regarding service life information being calculatedbased on one or more alternative filter elements with similar associatedfilter element parameters or working conditions correlated to each ofthe alternative filter elements.

In the various embodiments, sensors can include pressure sensors,accelerometers, flow sensors, strain sensors, humidity sensors, air-massflow, temperature, particle counter, turbulence sensor, spectrometry,sound, vehicle operation parameters, and optical sensors.

Also, contemplated herein and illustrated in FIG. 7 is a method foranalyzing a filter element within a vehicle, the method includingvarious steps such as: providing a vehicle having one or more filterelements; providing one or more filter element sensors about filterelement; providing a location determination mechanism; receiving asignal from each of the one or more filter sensors, the signalcorrelating to one or more filter element parameters; receiving locationinformation regarding a specific vehicle location; receiving informationregarding one or more environmental parameters correlating to anenvironment about the specific vehicle location; and determining a stateor particle load of the filter element based on the one or more filterelement parameters and the one or more environmental parameters. In somesuch embodiments, the filter element parameters can be transmitted to aremote server over a wireless network, wherein the determination of thestate or particle load of the filter element is calculated remotely bythe remote server. In some such alternative embodiments, the filterelement parameters can be utilized in order to determine the state orparticle load of the filter element locally by the one or more controlunits at a local level, wherein the parameters resulting in thedetermination are later transmitted to a remote server for storage andanalyzation of an updated algorithm with periodic updates to the localalgorithm used by the various local control units.

The method can alternatively include the steps of: providing a userinput interface; and receiving one or more of the environmentalparameters from a user through the user input interface.

Further, the method can include the steps of providing one or moreenvironmental sensors about the vehicle; and receiving a signalcorrelating to one or more environmental parameters from the one or moreenvironmental sensors about the vehicle.

In yet additional embodiments the method of analyzing a filter elementwithin a vehicle of can include the steps of providing a display; andtransmitting the determined state or particle load of the filter elementto the display from the remote server over a wireless network.

In some additional embodiments contemplated herein, an alternativefilter element analysis system for a vehicle can be provided which caninclude a filter element; a filter housing; a scanable tag affixed toeither the filter element or filter housing; a scanning and inputdevice, configured to obtain data from scanning the scanable tag; aremote server, configured to receive scanned and input information fromthe scanning and input device via a wireless network, wherein the remoteserver further comprises a remote processor and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, the remote processor being configured todetermine a filter element analysis based on the data retrieved from thescanned tag and an environmental parameter database that is incommunication with the remote server.

In some such embodiments, the alternative filter element analysis can bebased on user input information into the scanning and input device. Suchinput can include, environmental attribute information such as humidity,temperature, wind speed, crop type, soil type, location, altitude, andsoil moisture level. The user can also input information regardingvisual or user experience information such as filter element state orparticle load, appearance, sounds, vehicle responsiveness, or otherparameters best recognized by a user and are difficult to ascertainusing sensors.

In some such embodiments, the scanable tag can include: a barcode, a QRcode, a passive RFID tag, an active RFID tag, or a NFC tag.

In various related embodiments, the scanning and input device canautomatically receive location information, wherein the remote serverreceives the location information, and queries a third-party weatherdatabase to obtain weather conditions parameters that are used in partby the remote processor to determine the state or particle load filterelement.

In some such embodiments, the remote server can send filter elementanalysis data and data from the scanned tag to be added to anenvironmental parameter database.

In some embodiments, the remote server can transmit filter elementanalysis data to be displayed on a local computing device via thewireless network, which can be a smartphone, personal computer, a simpledisplay, etc.

It will also be appreciated that a method of analyzing a filter elementusing the aforementioned alternative system is contemplated hereinwherein the method includes the steps of: scanning a scanable tagaffixed to a filter element disposed within a filter housing of avehicle; transmitting data associated with the scanned tag to a remoteserver, wherein the remote server is comprised of a remote processor andnon-transitory computer-readable medium; transmitting environmentalinformation about the vehicle to the remote server; and determining thefilter element analysis based on the data associated with the scannedtag, the environmental information, and an environmental parameterdatabase.

In some such embodiments, the method can include the optional step ofrecording the filter element analysis, the scanned tag data, and theenvironmental information to the environmental parameter database.

In some such embodiments, the environmental information can be selectedfrom humidity, temperature, wind speed, crop type, soil type, location,altitude, and soil moisture level.

In yet additional embodiments, the method can include the step ofobtaining vehicle operating parameter information, wherein the vehicleoperating parameter information is further included in the determiningthe filter element analysis step.

In some embodiments, a portion of the environmental information can beautomatically detected through use of one or more sensors.Alternatively, or additionally, a portion of the environmentalinformation can be automatically obtained via a third-party database,wherein the remote server obtains location information regarding thefilter element, sends the location information to the third-partydatabase and retrieves environmental information from the third-partydatabase based on the location.

In some embodiments, the filter element analysis can be transmitted fromthe remote server to a local computing device for displaying the filterelement analysis results.

It will be appreciated that the determination step can provide anestimated time until cleaning or an estimated time until replacement.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a filter elementcleaning and replacement recommendation system is contemplated whichincludes: a remote server having a remote processor and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that is configured to receive local informationfrom a plurality of locations via a network, the local informationincluding: filter element information retrieved from one or more sensorsassociated with the filter element; environmental information retrievedeither by local sensors or through a third-party database based on thelocation of the filter element, and vehicle associated information; anda filter element, environmental, and vehicle database configured tostore historical information associated with a plurality of filterelements, local environmental conditions, and vehicle operatingparameters; wherein the remote processor is configured to analyze theplurality of localized filter elements, environmental, and vehicleassociated information along with the historical information todetermine for a particular local filter element a cleaning andreplacement recommendation.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention filter elementcleaning and a replacement recommendation system is contemplated whichcan include: a remote server having a remote processor andnon-transitory computer-readable medium that is configured to receivelocal information from a plurality of locations via a network, the localinformation including: 1) filter element information retrieved from oneor more sensors associated with the filter element; 2) environmentalinformation retrieved either by local sensors or through a third-partydatabase based on the location of the filter element, and 3) vehicleassociated information; and 4) a filter element, environmental, andvehicle database configured to store historical information associatedwith a plurality of filter elements, local environmental conditions, andvehicle operating parameters; wherein the remote processor is configuredto analyze the plurality of localized filter elements, environmental,and vehicle associated information along with the historical informationto determine for a particular location a recommended filter elementtype, and an associated recommended cleaning and replacement schedule.

In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented assets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methodsdisclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon designpreferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy ofsteps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within thedisclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims presentelements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarilymeant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

It will be appreciated that the various components can transmit data inaccordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standard, generally referred as aWIFI transceiver. Additionally, the various components can be configuredfor transmission via RF, HF, LF, UHF, Microwave, ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4),wired Ethernet (IEEE 802.3xx), wired Serial (RS-232/RS-485), cellular,LoRA, SigFox, or other narrow band internet of things systems/protocols,infrared, low-power wide-area, BLUETOOTH, and the like without departingfrom the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such claims.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read inconjunction with the following description, appended claims, andaccompanying drawings. Further, it will be appreciated that any of thevarious features, structures, steps, or other aspects discussed hereinare for purposes of illustration only, any of which can be applied inany combination with any such features as discussed in alternativeembodiments, as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic of a filter element monitoringsystem in accordance with various aspects of the present invention asimplemented on an exemplary piece of equipment;

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary schematic of a filter elementmonitoring system in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention as implemented with a generic filter element and associatedhousing;

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another exemplary schematic of a filter elementmonitoring system in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention as implemented with a generic filter element and associatedhousing;

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another exemplary schematic of a filter elementmonitoring system in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention as implemented with a generic filter element and associatedhousing;

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another exemplary schematic of a filter elementmonitoring system in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention as implemented with an alternative generic filter element andassociated housing;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary schematic of an alternative filterelement monitoring system in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention as implemented with a generic filter element andassociated housing; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary flow chart depicting various steps ofmethods of implementing the system as outlined above.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary flow chart depicting additional filterelement analysis methods.

FIG. 9 Illustrates an exemplary flow chart determining a maintenancerecommendation based on filter element analysis methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated by those having skill in the area of internalcombustion engines, harvesting, motors, etc. that proper filtration oflubricants as well as air can increase the life of particular motorgreatly by reducing dust buildup and other contaminants from interferingwith the operation of the machinery or vehicle.

In order to aid in the protection of these systems, as well as themaximization of operation time and reduction of cost, a filter elementanalysis system 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, is contemplated herein whichis configured to aide in the proper timing and scheduling of filterelement cleaning and maintenance, particularly within equipment systemsoperating in widely ranging conditions, for example farming orharvesting equipment wherein the conditions are largely dependent onlocational and environmental conditions. Methods for determining afilter element analysis or predictive maintenance analysis are shown inFIGS. 7-9.

As discussed above, particulate counts in a given stream can varygreatly depending various environmental factors. In the instance of airfiltration, for example, particulate or contaminant density can varygreatly between various crop types, soil types, various weatherconditions, or any number of additional factors.

It will also be appreciated that these types of systems often includelarge and robust air filtration systems with one or more filter elementswhich can be expensive to both clean and/or replace. Additionally,cleaning operations can often lead to unintentional damage and thusrequire premature replacement of these large filter elements which is asource of undue cost. For example, a user may be required to remove thefilter element and either provide a reverse flow of fluid or air throughthe system, for example, by blowing air backwards through the filterelement using an air compressor and nozzle. However, oftentimes in thefield, if a replacement filter element is not readily available, theuser may just remove the filter element temporarily and strike thefilter element against something so as to dislodge as much of thecontaminant contained within as possible prior to re-inserting thefilter element and resuming operation.

Additionally, changing the filter elements too often can result in largeamounts of wasted man hours and crop waste due to unnecessary equipmentdowntime.

As discussed above, the filter element analysis system 10 of the presentinvention will be discussed primarily with regard to air filter elementsfor purposes of illustration, however, it will be appreciated that otherfilter elements, such as oil or other fluid filter elements, cansimilarly benefit from various aspects of the present invention.Therefore, aspects of the present invention can be similarly applied toother filtration systems in various environments, including HVAC andother equipment filtration or fluid filtration systems.

Accordingly, the filter element analysis system as contemplated hereincan thus include a filter element 104, the filter element being providedwithin a filter housing 100 being provided in a system such as a vehicleor other equipment 20. The filter housing 100 can include an inlet 112and an outlet 152, the inlet 112 receiving a contaminated stream medium,i.e. dirty air, and the outlet 152 providing a filtered stream medium,i.e. clean air. One or more filter sensors 110 or 152 can then beprovided within or about the filter housing 100, each sensor beingconfigured to generate a signal correlating to various filter elementparameters.

The system 10 can also include a location determination mechanism 600,such as a GPS or user input interface, such as control unit 300, forinputting location information. The location determination mechanism 600can then be configured so as to provide location information regardingthe vehicle.

In some embodiments, the GPS can provide location information which canprovide the system with the ability to perform real-time fleet tracking,fleet management, and arrange for automatic replenishment and/ordelivery of replacement filters as needed, to a target location of thevehicle needing the filter. The GPS information can also be recorded andtime stamped, which can later be displayed as an activity log through aninterface such as smart device or secondary control unit 300.

The system 10 can also include one or more control units 200 or 300, atleast one primary control unit 200 having, or being operativelyconnected to, a processor or processing unit 204 and a wirelesscommunication mechanism 250 configured to transmit information over awireless network or cloud service 30. In such an embodiment, theprocessing unit 204 can be configured to receive the filter elementparameters from the one or more filter sensors and transmit the filterelement parameters using the wireless communication mechanism 250 to aremote server 50. The remote server 50 can include a remote processingunit 54, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium 58 capable ofstoring the data received. The remote server 50 can then receive one ormore environmental parameters correlating to an environment surroundingthe vehicle or equipment 20. The remote server 50 can also receive thefilter element parameters from the control unit 200 over the wirelessnetwork 30 and, using both the filter element parameters andenvironmental parameters, determine a state or particle load of thefilter element 104. Once the state or particle load of the filterelement 104 is determined, it can be transmitted back to the one or morecontrol units 200 or 300.

In some embodiments, a secondary control unit 300 can be provided as aninterface located within the cockpit or about filter housing 100 whichcan include a display configured to display information regarding thestate or particle load of the filter element 104. In some suchembodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2, the secondary control unit 300 canbe provided as a smart device which communicates directly with theprimary control unit 200. In this manner, the operator can have constantaccess to filter element status, remaining filter life, or particle loadinformation in the cockpit or while working around the machinery.

In some such embodiments, the primary control 200 unit can beoperatively connected to the secondary control 300 unit utilizingwireless communication, and the secondary control unit 300 be configuredto transmit the filter element parameters to the remote server, as shownin FIG. 3. In some alternative embodiments, the primary control unit 200can be operatively connected to the remote server utilizing wirelesscommunication, and the secondary control unit 300 can be operativelyconnected to the remote server utilizing wireless communication, whereinthe secondary control unit is configured to receive and display theinformation regarding state or particle load of the filter element, asshown in FIG. 4.

In some such embodiments, as discussed above, the secondary control unit300 can be provided as a mobile smart device provided with a mobileapplication loaded thereon, wherein the mobile smart device can receiveuser input and communicate wirelessly with the primary control unit 200either directly, through a wireless communication network, over aninternet connection, or through the remote server 50, in any combinationor sub-combination. The application loaded on to 300 can also provide aninterface for viewing activity logs, receiving alerts and othernotifications. These notifications can be received as a pushnotification or manually retrieved as requested by the user through theapplication. The application can be used to display historicalinformation, predictive maintenance information, remaining lifeinformation and comparative information sorted by filter type,environmental parameter type, and/or vehicle type. This comparativeinformation is retrieved from a server that collects data from aplurality of filters, vehicles and their usage under identifiedenvironmental parameters.

In some alternative embodiments, the remote server 50 can utilize theglobal position of the filter element 104 to access desiredenvironmental parameters from an online database. Some examples caninclude weather database information regarding present or recentrainfall, humidity, wind speed, etc. for a given location. In somesimilar embodiments, various environmental conditions can be obtained byproviding one or more environmental sensors 400 about the vehicle orequipment 20. The one or more environmental sensors 400 can then beconfigured to provide a signal correlating to at least one environmentalparameter about the environment in the direct vicinity of the equipmentto the remote server through the one or more control units, etc.

It will also be appreciated that the various sensors, eitherenvironmental 400, or filter sensors, 110 or 150, can be configured totransmit their respective signals to the one or more control units, 200or 300, utilizing wireless communication. It will also be appreciatedthat equipment status sensors 500 can also be placed about the vehicleto detect parameters relating to usage, such as engine speed,efficiency, vehicle speed, etc. which factors can all be used asweighting factors for determining state or particle load of the filterelement 104. Such sensors can be connected to the control unit 200through OBD connections, or through alternative connection means to thevehicle or equipment controller devices as appropriate.

In yet additional embodiments the one or more control units can includea user input interface 310, wherein the user input interface 310 can beconfigured to receive one or more environmental parameters or filterelement parameters from a user or operator. Some exemplary parameterswhich can have an effect on filter element characteristics and bereadily input by the user can include a vehicle activity, engine ormotor run times, crop type, soil type, soil water content, soilPH-levels, visual filter element state or particle load, sound, vehicleresponsiveness, or any number of other parameters as will be appreciatedby those having skill in the art.

In yet additional embodiments, the primary control unit 200 can alsoinclude a local non-transitory computer-readable medium 58 configured tostore historical data regarding service life information beingcalculated based on one or more alternative filter elements with similarassociated filter element parameters or working conditions correlated toeach of the alternative filter elements. It will be appreciated thatnetwork connectivity can often be lost in numerous working situations,such as harvesting a crop in a remote location. In such instances, theprimary control unit 200 can be configured to access a most recentversion of a determination algorithm performed by a local processorprovided therein for determining filter element status and particle loadand can thus the system 10 can utilize locally available input andsensed data so as to provide a best approximation regarding filterelement replacement guidelines or time frames.

In the various embodiments, local sensors provided about the equipmentor filter element can include pressure sensors, accelerometers, flowsensors, strain sensors, humidity sensors, air-mass flow, temperature,particle counter, turbulence sensor, spectrometry, sound, vehicleoperation parameters, and optical sensors.

Also contemplated herein is a method for analyzing a filter elementwithin a vehicle, the method including various steps such as: providinga vehicle 20 having one or more filter elements 104; providing one ormore filter sensors 110 or 150 about the filter element 104; providing alocation determination mechanism 600; receiving a signal from each ofthe one or more filter sensors 110 or 150, the signal correlating to oneor more filter element parameters; receiving location informationregarding a specific vehicle location; receiving information regardingone or more environmental parameters correlating to an environment aboutthe specific vehicle location; and determining a state or particle loadof the filter element 104 based on the one or more filter elementparameters and the one or more environmental parameters. In some suchembodiments, the filter element parameters can be transmitted to aremote server 50 over a wireless network 30, wherein the determinationof the state or particle load is calculated remotely by the remoteserver 50. It will be appreciated that the remote server can include aremote processing unit or means 54, a remote non-transitorycomputer-readable medium 58 for storing current and historical data, anda display or access portal 62 for accessing the remote processing unit54 and data storage means 58.

FIG. 7 illustrates methods of determining the status of a filter elementas described above as well as maintenance or service recommendationassociated thereof.

In some alternative such embodiments, the filter element parameters canbe utilized to be determine the state or particle load locally by theone or more control units 200 or 300 and wherein the parametersresulting in the determination steps are later transmitted to the remoteserver 50 for storage and use in an updated analyzation of an updatedalgorithm wherein periodic updates to the algorithm are used by variouslocal control.

It will be appreciated that while the user input interface has beenprimarily discussed as a local smart device operating as a secondarycontrol unit 300, however, input and display means can be provided atvarious optional locations including a control or notification panel inthe cockpit of the vehicle 20, about the primary control unit 200, whichcould be located near the filter housing 100, or virtually at anysuitable location using any suitable input means. In such instances, theuser input can be utilized in order to receive one or more of theenvironmental parameters from a user through the user input interface.The benefit being that various factors which might have an effect onfilter element life and performance can include various factors whichcan be easily ascertained by a user, but which are harder to detectusing sensors, for example crop type, soil information, etc.

However, other environmental factors may be readily ascertained usingsensors, as such, the method can include the steps of providing one ormore environmental sensors 400 about the vehicle 20; and receiving asignal correlating to one or more environmental parameters from the oneor more environmental sensors about the vehicle.

In yet additional embodiments, the method of analyzing a filter elementwithin a vehicle can include the steps of providing a display; andtransmitting the determined state or particle load of the filter elementto the display from the remote server over a wireless network. In otherwords, the mobile device can be utilized to provide alerts, which caninclude indications that a particular filter needs service orreplacement, or the alert can be a projection regarding filter elementlife approximations which can be delivered to the user using mobilenetworks to a smart device, or transmitted to a display in the cockpitof the vehicle, etc. As such, the user can then decide whether to changethe filter element prior to starting the day, or whether use can becontinued until the next natural work break, etc.

It will then be appreciated that the system can be configured to createand save activity logs regarding vehicle history, engine run times,usage history, GPS location with time stamps, activity logs, andassociated parameters such that a database regarding filter performance,predictive maintenance and life can be generated and analyzed for thelife of the filter element in a given vehicle, and in some instances fora plurality of filter elements in a plurality of vehicles so as toincrease the accuracy of filter life predictions, filter maintenance andfilter performance over the filter life based on a given set ofenvironmental parameters, vehicle type, and/or filter element typeincluding filter media type used in a given filter element(s).

In some additional embodiments contemplated herein, an alternativefilter element analysis system for a vehicle 20 can be provided whichcan include a filter element 104; a filter housing 100; a scanable tag170 affixed to either the filter element 104 or filter housing 100. Thena scanning and input device can be utilized, which can be either anoptical or RF scanner readily available on numerous smart devices, andconfigured to obtain data from scanning the scanable tag 170.

The data from the scanable tag 170 can then be transmitted to a remoteserver 50, which is configured to receive scanned and input informationfrom the scanning and input device 300 via a wireless network 30. Theremote server 50 can then be configured to provide a filter elementanalysis and determine filter element status, remaining filter life, orparticle load based on the data retrieved from the scanned tag and anenvironmental parameter database 66 which can be in communication withthe remote server 50.

In some such embodiments, the alternative filter element analysis can bebased on user input information into the scanning and input device, i.e.smart device 300. Such input can include, environmental attributeinformation such as humidity, temperature, wind speed, jet stream, windgusts, pollen levels, crop type, soil type, location, altitude, and soilmoisture level. The user can also input information regarding visual oruser experience information such as filter element state, remainingfilter life, or particle load appearance, sounds, vehicleresponsiveness, or other parameters best recognized by a user and aredifficult to ascertain using sensors.

In some such embodiments, the scanable tag 170 can include: a barcode, aQR code, a passive RFID tag, an active RFID tag, or a NFC tag.

In various related embodiments, the scanning and input device 300 canautomatically receive location information, wherein the remote serverreceives the location information, and queries a third-party weatherdatabase 68 so as to obtain weather conditions parameters that are usedin part by the remote processor to determine the filter element state,remaining filter life, or particle load.

In some such embodiments, the remote server 50 can send filter elementanalysis data and data from the scanned tag to be added to theenvironmental parameter database 66.

In some embodiments, the remote server 50 can transmit filter elementanalysis data to be displayed on a local computing device 204 via thewireless network, which can be a smartphone, personal computer, a simpledisplay, etc.

It will also be appreciated that a method of analyzing a filter elementusing the aforementioned alternative system is contemplated hereinwherein the method includes the steps of: scanning a scanable tag 170affixed to a filter element 104 disposed within a filter housing 100 ofa vehicle 20; transmitting data associated with the scanned tag 170 to aremote server 50, wherein the remote server 50 is comprised of a remoteprocessor 54 and non-transitory computer-readable medium 58;transmitting environmental information about the vehicle to the remoteserver; and determining the filter element analysis based on the dataassociated with the scanned tag 170, the environmental information, andan environmental parameter database 66.

In some such embodiments, the method can include the optional step ofrecording the filter element analysis, the scanned tag data, and theenvironmental information to the environmental parameter database 66.

In some such embodiments, the environmental information can be selectedfrom humidity, temperature, wind speed, jet stream location, wind gusts,pollen levels, crop type, soil type, location, altitude, and soilmoisture level.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrates a flow chart of implementing a method as describedabove where the determination of the filter element status can be doneremotely after scanning the tag or done locally on a device such as asmartphone with processing means. Data associated with the scanned tag,as noted, can be obtained directly from tag, obtained from a local copyof a database containing information related to the scanned tag,obtained from a remote database or a hybrid thereof. The environmentalparameter database can be accessed remotely or stored locally on theprocessing device. Obtaining environmental information can also bedetermined locally through manual input, sensor input, obtained remotelyfrom other sources, or a hybrid thereof.

In yet additional embodiments the method can include the step ofobtaining vehicle operating parameter information, for example byconnecting the control unit 200 to a vehicle system 500 using OBDconnections etc., wherein the vehicle operating parameter information isfurther included in the performance of filter element analysis and thedetermination of filter element status, remaining filter life, orparticle load.

In some embodiments, a portion of the environmental information can beautomatically detected through use of one or more sensors 400.Alternatively, or additionally, a portion of the environmentalinformation can be automatically obtained via a third-party database 68,wherein the remote server obtains location information regarding thefilter element 104, sends the location information to the third-partydatabase 68 and retrieves environmental information from the third-partydatabase 68 based on the location.

In some embodiments, the filter element analysis can be transmitted fromthe remote server 50 to a local computing or processor 204 fordisplaying the filter element analysis results.

It will be appreciated that the filter element status, remaining filterlife, or particle load data can then be used in a secondarydetermination step which can, in conjunction with additional data, beused to provide an estimated time until cleaning or an estimated timeuntil replacement.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a filter elementanalysis system 10 is contemplated which includes: a remote server 50having a remote processor 54 and non-transitory computer-readable medium58 that is configured to receive local information from a plurality oflocations via a network 30, the local information including: filterelement information retrieved from one or more sensors 110, 150associated with the filter element; environmental information retrievedeither by local sensors 400 or through a third-party database 68 basedon the location of the filter element 104, and vehicle associatedinformation; and a filter element, environmental, and vehicle databasebeing stored on the remote non-transitory computer-readable medium 58which is configured to store historical information associated with aplurality of filter elements at various locations, local environmentalconditions for each filter element, and vehicle operating parameters fortheir associated vehicles or equipment; wherein the remote processor 204is configured to analyze the plurality of localized filter element,environmental, and vehicle associated information along with thehistorical information to determine a cleaning and replacementrecommendation for a particular local filter element.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a filter elementcleaning and replacement recommendation system 10 is contemplated whichcan include: a remote server 50 having a remote processor 54 and remotenon-transitory computer-readable medium 58 that is configured to receivelocal information from a plurality of locations via a network 30, thelocal information including: filter element information retrieved fromone or more sensors 110 and 150 associated with the filter element 104;environmental information retrieved either by local sensors 400 orthrough a third-party database 68 based on the location of the filterelement 104.

In yet additional embodiments, one or more sensors can be provided atseveral locations about the vehicle which are individually equipped withwireless transmission devices so as to relay sensor information back toa central transmission device, or the individual sensor units can beindividually provided with wireless communication means, such as simcards, cellular service, 4G LTE, or any other wireless communicationmeans as they become available. In some such embodiments, the varioussensor units can be configured to be installed at ports, such as serviceports, about the filter elements so as to provide real-time informationregarding the status of the particular filter element.

It will be appreciated that as processing and wireless communicationtechnologies advance that the size of the various components is becomingsmaller. Those of ordinary skill will further recognized that oftenpre-existing ports provided in housings or otherwise about a particularfilter element often only exist in inconvenient locations, or in tightclearances. As such, while the ability to provide small and reliablesensors, sensor information processing, and communication means directlyat a particular port is getting ever easier and as such it will becomeincreasingly easier to supply sensor modules in these locations.However, in instances where the sensor modules cannot presently fitwithin the tight clearances or sensor ports are inaccessible, the sensorunits can also be provided with adapters which can extend to, andconnect to, the particular port or ports about the particular filterelement and thus allow for displaced connection and convenient placementof the given module. In some embodiments, these adapters can be flexibleor rigid hoses or nipples configured to account for the tight clearancesor inconvenient location of a suitable port provided about the filterelement.

As such, the individual sensor units can be provided with sensor means,processing means, and wireless communication means within a singularsealed housing with a connector portion, such as threads or quickconnect, which allows the housing to connect to a port, and thus allowfor the sensor to detect parameters regarding flow within an interiorportion of the port. The sensor data can be processed locally by aprocessor, and stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, suchthat in instances wherein the wireless communication means has lost asignal, the data can be stored and later communicated when a signal isobtained or restored.

It will be further appreciated that the sensors can be provided within aportion of the sensor unit, wherein the sensor portion can be sealedfrom a circuit portion of the sensor unit, such that any fluid from thesensor port cannot enter into the sensor unit and foul or contaminateany of the circuitry contained in the circuit portion.

In yet additional embodiments, the sensors or sensor units can beconfigured to pair with a system or application using a QR code, RFID,Bluetooth, etc. such that registration of a given device and associationwith a particular vehicle can be achieved without the need for manualinput of serial numbers etc. This can be performed using 2-way or 3-wayhandshaking functions, etc.

In some embodiments, the housing can be provided with external power asgenerated by the motor so as to power the sensors, communication means,and processing means of the sensor unit.

In yet additional embodiments, the system can be configured to provideindication means, such as LCD screens, or indicator lights which canprovide information regarding filter status, connectivity status, oralert information regarding the particular filter element. This can beachieved using bling patterns, codes, color changes, or any other meanswhich will be appreciated by those having skill in the art. Examples ofvehicles include but are not limited to: automobiles, trucks,excavators, tractors, combines, balers (both pulled and self-driving),backhoes, dozers, skid steers, loaders, reapers, harvesters, stationarymotors, and so forth.

The filter element status can include detecting whether the filter mediais worn, such as thinning in certain areas, blown-out, such as having ahole or enlargement of another aperture that allows the free flow ofair, tearing of the filter media, and so forth. The particle load caninclude detecting a quantity of mass disposed on or in the filterelement, or it can be a detection of a restriction of air flow throughthe filter element, the uniformity or lack thereof of air flowtransmitting the filter element, or even a detection of pressure dropbelow a certain threshold.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read inconjunction with the following description, appended claims, andaccompanying drawings. Further, it will be appreciated that any of thevarious features, structures, steps, or other aspects discussed hereinare for purposes of illustration only, any of which can be applied inany combination with any such features as discussed in alternativeembodiments, as appropriate.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention. Additionally, any features, structures, components, methodsteps which are discussed in reference to any one of the aforementionedembodiments are readily adaptable for use into and with any features ofthe other alternative embodiments discussed therein, with theunderstanding that one of ordinary skill in the art will be capable ofassessing the ability of the various embodiments disclosed and becapable of making such adaptations.

What is claimed:
 1. A filter element analysis system for a vehicle,comprising: a filter element; a filter housing; a scanable tag affixedto either the filter element or filter housing; a scanning and inputdevice, configured to obtain data from scanning the scanable tag; aremote server, configured to receive scanned and input information fromthe scanning and input device via a wireless network, and anenvironmental parameter database that is in communication with theremote server via a wireless network, wherein the remote server furthercomprises a remote processor and non-transitory computer-readablemedium; wherein the remote server is configured to determine a particleload of the filter element based on the scanned and input informationand information from the environmental parameter database.
 2. The filterelement analysis system of claim 1 wherein the remote server isconfigured to receive user input information into the scanning and inputdevice.
 3. The filter element analysis system of claim 2, wherein theuser input information is environmental attribute information from thelist comprising: humidity, temperature, wind speed, wind gusts, jetstream location, pollen levels, crop type, soil type, location,altitude, and soil moisture level.
 4. The filter element analysis systemof claim 2, wherein the user input information is selected from a listconsisting of: a vehicle type, an engine type, a filter system type, afilter element type, and one or more operating conditions.
 5. The filterelement analysis system of claim 1, wherein the scanning and inputdevice automatically receives location information, and wherein theremote server receives the location information, and queries athird-party weather database to obtain weather conditions parameters.